DODGE Synonyms: 125 Similar and Opposite Words

dodge 1 of 2

noun

ˈdäj

Definition of dodge

as in ruse

a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end just another dodge to get out of working in the yard

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dodge

2 of 2

verb

as in to weave

to move suddenly aside or to and fro dodging through the crowd on his way to the exit

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as in to circumvent

to avoid having to comply with (something) especially through cleverness always trying to dodge the landlord's rule prohibiting pets

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to evade

to get or keep away from (as a responsibility) through cleverness or trickery dodged the horde of paparazzi by leaving through the service entrance

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of dodge

Noun

Florida has a new niche industry to help those who can afford it get out of dodge before a hurricane whirls ashore. — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026 Ullrich sees the shift less as a dodge than as a new chair recalibrating how the institution talks. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 8 July 2026

Verb

Mendoza finished the night 17-of-23 for 237 yards and dodged an injury scare that onlookers feared could affect his second half availability. — ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026 One TikTok of the scrappy piggy dodging cars and darting between would-be animal rescuers’ legs racked up nearly a half million views. — Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dodge

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dodge

Noun

And Billie and Greg’s ongoing ruse is classic sitcom fodder, even if there’s not much to it besides wanting to keep Samir happy.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026
The Decoy Plane, a documentary chronicling the ruse, on Friday, September 4.

— Denise Petski, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of ruse

Verb

In a women's cooperative in Morocco's High Atlas Mountains, members weave wedding blankets, and at a workshop in Bagru in India, artisans pound block prints onto fabric.

— Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
Novotny recently created the look for Julia Fox, weaving chestnut tones through the deeper base for a soft, lived-in effect.

— Amanda Le, InStyle, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of weave

Verb

For a while, Michael believed that Leah would somehow try to circumvent the school’s vaccine requirements.

— Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
The naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz remains in place, secondary sanctions are being tightened, and pressure is being increased on countries and financial networks that have allowed Tehran to circumvent previous restrictions.

— Hamidreza Azizi, Time, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of circumvent

Verb

He was booked into San Diego Central Jail on charges of felony evading a peace officer with wanton disregard for safety, obstructing or resisting a peace officer and driving under the influence of drugs, according to police.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Johnson has previously stated the Illinois constitution’s flat income tax rate evades the city’s wealth gap.

— Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of evade

Noun

Smith, though, is still adjusting to coach Mike Macdonald’s defensive scheme.

— Andrew Destin, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
The bigger those two factor primes are, conventional thinking goes, the harder their multiplication is to undo—a sentiment that has made RSA one of the world’s most popular encryption schemes since its debut nearly a half-century ago.

— Peter Hall, Scientific American, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of scheme

Verb

People forced to duck TikTokers and TMZ don’t want to expose every aspect of their incomes and daily lives to strangers, then live somewhere where everyone knows everyone’s business.

— Bridget Read, Curbed, 1 Sep. 2026
Paxton has so far failed to hold large campaign events and is ducking debates.

— Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of duck

Verb

City officials asked people to avoid the downtown area where police are investigating the shooting.

— Michael Loria, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Some China watchers, however, are keeping their expectations low, as both sides appear to be more interested in avoiding moves that would risk their current trade truce.

— Justina Lee, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of avoid

Verb

Lyonnes and Washington Spirit of the NWSL, Kang’s influence stretches across the global game, but it cannot be escaped that Putellas has dropped down from the highest level with this move.

— Katie Whyatt, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Jordan, who escapes relatively unscathed, is at once cowed and traumatized yet committed to vengeance.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of escape

Browse Nearby Words

doddery

dodge

dodged

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Style

“Dodge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dodge. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of dodge

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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